Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Reader Interactions

135 Comments

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Oh my goodness, he is very cute! 4+million — that’s a lot of pressure to be placed on this sweet baby. Good luck and a good life to him! May he always be loved.

      Hugs and Love

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      Sheena,
      Wow! $4 million. I am a huge fan of Curlin but it seems the prices at the Keeneland sale are a bit absurd. I agree with Marshall, this poor guy is going to be watched every second. Don’t think any horse can live up to this price.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      These are some SERIOUSLY WEALTHY people making these purchases! Thanks for sharing. He’s certainly a stunner!

      Hugs, Kathy

  4. / Reply

    Wow!
    Cool stuff — hard to believe that it has been 10 years since our Queen Z blew them away at the Breeders Cup! She still rules and is the same beautiful soul as always. Love her so much!
    Thanks for this opportunity and for offering some reasonably priced goods, too.
    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Indeed it did, Sheena. A pivotal point in history — things would never be the same.
      RIP all innocents who died then and those who die as a result 18 years later.

      Unfortunately, the evil is still present and requires vigilance. Endless gratitude to those who strive to keep us safe. God bless.

      Hugs and Love

  7. / Reply

    It ain’t called “The Sport of Kings” for nothing!

    Cool Zenyatta stuff for the 10th anniversary — the Zen10 promo code is a good savings.

    The saddle cloth bag is a really cute design and it’s handmade right here in the USA.

    Zenny’s swag has always been quality stuff. I have a canvas tote and a couple of the leather totes that I’ve used for many years — they still look terrific and they’re real conversation starters at Saratoga every summer.

    • / Reply

      Putting money into rescues from killpens ONLY puts more money in the pockets of the killpen buyers which allows them to buy more horses to ship.

    • / Reply

      Hi Sheena

      I totally understand your frustration. I also get that putting money into the hands of kill buyers isn’t the answer either. Over and over, we hear comments about people doing ‘what is right for the horse’s’ but what we actually see is often quite different.

      Ferdinand won 3.7 million dollars, including the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic, yet died in a slaughter house. I understand that he was a very kind and friendly horse. He gave everything to so many, yet was let down by all.

      First, I really thank God for people like Michael Blowen and Old Friends; for groups like New Vocations and other Thoroughbred (and Stanardbred) aftercare groups. Also, for trainers and owners who diligently rehome their horses.

      As long as these high prices are attained, horses will be bred for the market. Just because a horse sells for a high price or just because a horse is a champion and earns millions of dollars doesn’t guarantee him or her a good life.

      There are many good horsemen out there doing absolutely what is right for their horses but we still need increased accountability amongst so many others.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kathleen:

        One of the saddest stories in racing is that of Ferdinand.

        RIP gorgeous Chestnut boy. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Judy,
          I think the story of Ferdinand broke all of our hearts. He gave his life yet has saved so many others who have come back home after standing out of the country. Just wish they had let fans know of his plight. We would have gotten him home some way. Also because of him, other horses are taken care of and/or sent home.

        • Dear Kathleen:

          So true. He did and all of them do; Stakes racers and Claimers. Love them all. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Shirlee and Z Fans:

          You are so right. Ferdinand’s sad story and also that of Exceller, who in 1991 in Sweden met the same fate as Ferdinand, prompted the inclusion of buy back clauses when our beloved TBs are sold overseas.

          Here’s Exceller’s story:

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exceller

        • Dear Z Fans:

          Correction: I got the year of Exceller’s death wrong. It was 1997, not l991.

          Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy,

          Thanks for posting about Exceller. He was a wonderful champion — I was unfamiliar with his life story. This is another avoidable tragedy. Exceller deserved so much better, as did Ferdinand and many more unknowns. I do hope this type of outcome will cease to happen.

          RIP Exceller and Ferdinand — and all those innocents who had awful endings.

          Hugs and Love

  10. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Poor Mei-Xiang; guess it wasn’t meant to be this time.

    Good your weather is improving. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  11. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:

    Z, congrats on your tenth anniversary of being the only mare ever to win the BCC.

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams to all of you. Love You. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Judy

      What a race that was! I have watched it so often i can call it along with Trevor Denman. As Dottie said, ‘All that was good in racing crossed the finish line first that day.’

      She is glorious. Unbelievable!

      • / Reply

        Dear Kathleen:

        Still get the chills and teary eyed when I watch it. The other of Z’s finest was the 2010 BCC. Oh my, the ground she made up; just a bit more real estate and she goes by Blame. What an effort. She is indeed glorious and unbelievable! Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        One does not always need millions to acquire a champion.Lady Rebecca was bought for400gns by David Redvers of Tweenhills (where Roaring Lion lived) she was a tiny horse who went on to win 7 races at Cheltenham including 3 Cleeve hurdles and Red Rum only cost 6000gns in 1972 and I am frustrated to see so many end up in Killpens.

        • Sheena,
          You are so right. If I remember correctly, Seattle Slew was purchased for $17,000.

          A high price does not guarantee success. The Green Monkey.

        • Dear Sheena, Shirlee and Z Fans:

          The Green Monkey comes to my mind too. $16 Million. He raced three times and never won. Born in 2004 (same year as Z); retired in 2008 and sadly passed away last year in Florida at 14 from Laminitis. Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Horrified by the article in the NYTimes about Justify, and the possibility that he was drugged before the Santa Anita Derby, which would have ordinarily disqualified him from running in the Triple Crown races! Poor horse!

  14. / Reply

    Would love to celebrate her victory with the purchase of the bag but 250.00 is way out of my budget. So I will say Happy Anniversary to the Queen of racing the beloved Zenyatta.

    • / Reply

      Barbara and other Z fans,

      You can click on http://www.breederscupshop.com at the top of the above page and then click on the Zenyatta Collection where you will find some items that are much lower priced. There is a canvas tote for $35, for example, which is a 10th anniversary commemorative alternative to the pricey one. Check it out.

      Hugs and Love

        • Dear Sheena and Kathy,

          Ditto on Crystal Ocean. Hope he recovers completely and enjoys his retirement. May he always be loved and happy.

          Hugs and Love

          RIP Luhuk. Run free and happy.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Healing prayers for Crystal Ocean. RIP Luhuk. Godspeed Stradi. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  19. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Congrats to the wonderful Stradi and to all his connections. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  20. / Reply

    Is it just me, or are owners in a real hurry to retire their horses to stud or breeding? Race them a little bit and off they go.

  24. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Sad about Invictus Spirit,Great run from Stradivarius depending on the ground we will see him on Champions day next month.The youngest chick and dad are still at Glaslyn!Mrs G was last seen Monday evening.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

      • / Reply

        Yes, it is so sad about Invictus Spirit. RIP brave soul. Condolences all around — especially to Her Majesty and all who loved this boy.

        Congrats to Logician, Magical and the wonderful Sextant! Very well done. Love Sea the Stars, he must be proud.

        Hugs and Love

  25. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    I just watched the video you posted on the previous Blog of Winx’s half sister. What an absolutely precious baby girl she is. God Bless and Godspeed; long, happy life. Thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Congrats to Logician and his Dad, Frankel. Also, congrats to Magical and Sextant and Her Majesty.

      Hovis is not amused! Poor Stanley. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

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